The Bureau of Land Management’s National Riparian Service Team (NRST), along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (FS), and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are co-sponsoring a meeting to further the implementation of the interagency Creeks and Communities strategy. This is one of a series of biennial working meetings aimed at improving the strategy’s implementation and effectiveness. The upcoming meeting will take place March 2-4, 2010, at the Silver Legacy in Reno, Nevada. The primary objectives are to enhance coordination and learning among participants, foster skill building, and facilitate work planning. Drawing on the experiences of an array of individuals from Federal, tribal, state and local governments, and the private sector, the majority of time will be aimed at building the capacity of land managers and stakeholders to comprehensively address riparian-wetland issues in a manner that blends both social and technical elements.

The agenda for this meeting was developed based on interviews and a survey of several Creeks and Community Network members. Sessions will include presentations of case studies using the Creeks and Communities approach, examples of successful riparian monitoring efforts, updates from agency riparian programs, interactive discussions to determine needs of riparian management practitioners, interagency State Riparian Team reports, etc. In addition, the meeting will include time for interagency State Riparian Teams to coordinate and work on their Fiscal Year (FY) 2010-2011 Creeks and Communities work plans. The NRST will once again consolidate these work plans into a document that represents a 2-year work for the entire Creeks and Communities network.

The states are requested to send Agency Riparian coordinators and leads, and members of the State Riparian Teams. Field managers, program leads and other specialists who are interested in implementing or learning more about the Creeks and Communities strategy are encouraged to attend. Network members are asked to bring stakeholders, partners, or other individuals they believe would be interested in learning about and participating in this type of riparian management training. A block of rooms has been reserved under the code NRST310 at the Silver Legacy Hotel in Reno, Nevada (800-687-7733). Individuals are responsible for making their own reservations. Reservations must be madeby January 29, 2010. A reasonable rate of $59.00/night has been secured for the rooms and the Silver Legacy Hotel offers a free shuttle to and from the airport, therefore eliminating the need for rental vehicles.

We are asking those who plan to attend to please notify Carol Connolly (carol_connolly@or.blm.gov, 541-416-6892) so a list of participants can be developed. If you need any additional information, please contact Gordon Toevs at